Looking to create playing time for Jordan Pacheco and some salary relief, the Rockies traded Ty Wigginton to the Phillies for a player to be named later or cash.

“We are trying to reshape our club and this made sense,” general manager Dan O’Dowd said.

Wigginton, who hit .242 with 15 home runs and 47 RBIs, was scheduled to make $4 million this season. The teams will split that cost. If the Phillies exercise Wigginton’s 2013 option, the Rockies will receive either $100,000 in cash or a player to be named. If they don’t, the Rockies will be on the hook for a portion of Wigginton’s $500,000 buyout.

Wigginton was signed as a free agent last winter. He started to gain traction last June, but a hamstring injury sidelined him after a slide in Chicago. He never veered back on track, struggling to produce offensively with runners in scoring position (.163 average in 123 at-bats). He later became caught in the middle of Ian Stewart’s disappointing season, losing playing time beginning in July as the Rockies tried to revive Stewart’s season.

Pacheco profiles like Wigginton — a super utility player with multiple positions. Pacheco can play first, third and is a functional catcher. Pacheco batted .286 with two home runs and 14 RBIs in 21 games after virtually taking over Wigginton’s role in September.

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.